There’s something unforgettable about watching a favorite film on the big screen. But when the score is performed live by a full orchestra—every soaring melody, every pulse-pounding moment—the story comes alive in an entirely new way.

At the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, our Movies in Concert series transforms your favorite blockbusters into immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Whether you’re hearing the triumphant brass of Star Wars or the whimsical themes of Harry Potter, these performances let you rediscover the films you love—through music.

What Is a Movie Concert?

In short: the film plays on an extra-large screen, while the ASO performs the score live in perfect sync on the stage below the screen. Dialogue and sound effects stay in the film soundtrack, but the music—one of the most powerful emotional drivers in any movie—is played live right in front of you. You will watch the synchronized bows of the violins, cellos, and violas playing the score. The live sounds of brass and woodwinds and the crescendos of the percussion section will reverberate throughout the hall.

This kind of concert reveals just how crucial a great score is to a great story. It’s no wonder these concerts regularly bring audiences to their feet.

A Perfect Event for All Ages

Movie concerts are more than just a night out—they’re a shared experience. We’ve seen children spellbound by the magic of Harry Potter, fans in full Jedi robes for Star Wars, and couples reliving the suspense of Psycho together. Whether you’re a long-time concertgoer or attending your first ASO performance, these events are a fantastic entry point into the symphonic world.

Behind the Scenes: The Art of Live Film Scoring

Performing a live film score is no small feat—it’s a remarkable blend of precision, timing, and artistry. Unlike a traditional concert, our musicians perform from a specially formatted score that includes exact timecodes, visual cues, and often a click track—an audio metronome used to keep the orchestra perfectly in sync with the film. The conductor follows a screen with streamers and punches (on-screen markers) to align the music precisely with the movie’s pacing, mood, and dramatic moments.

This synchronization is crucial in epic films like Star Wars, where the score is inseparable from the storytelling. Every swell of the Force theme, every note of the Imperial March must land with exacting timing—whether it’s the Millennium Falcon jumping to lightspeed or Darth Vader emerging from the shadows.

The same level of detail applies to magical moments in the Harry Potter series. From the first delicate notes of “Hedwig’s Theme” to the sweeping orchestration underscoring a Quidditch match or a dramatic duel, the live orchestra must match the tone and tempo of every scene. Even a slight delay or early entrance could disrupt the emotional impact—and that’s why this type of performance requires both incredible musicianship and intense rehearsal.

It’s technically demanding and artistically exhilarating—a challenge our orchestra embraces with joy. Bringing these beloved scores to life in real time transforms the cinematic experience into something even more powerful, creating unforgettable moments for audiences of all ages.

Why It Matters

These concerts don’t just entertain—they open doors. By pairing iconic films with live symphonic performance, we reveal the powerful, often overlooked role that music plays in storytelling. Audiences begin to hear how a single theme can shape a character, how a swell of strings can signal hope, or how silence followed by a sudden drumbeat can heighten suspense. It’s a masterclass in emotional communication, accessible to everyone—whether you’re a seasoned concertgoer or experiencing the orchestra for the very first time.

For many young audience members, these performances serve as their introduction not only to orchestral music, but to the idea that music is a vital, living part of how stories are told. Seeing a full orchestra perform in perfect sync with their favorite movie can flip a switch—suddenly, the world of music becomes tangible, exciting, and deeply relevant. That first spark of inspiration is something we take seriously. It’s why we make space in our season, and in our mission, for experiences that surprise, delight, and inspire future generations of musicians, storytellers, and audience members.

These concerts are more than entertainment—they’re a gateway to imagination, curiosity, and lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Join Us at the Symphony

From heroic epics to animated adventures, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s movie concerts continue to inspire and delight. Whether you’re reliving a classic or sharing a favorite with someone new, these events are a celebration of both film and music—and a reminder of how powerful they can be together.

Check out our upcoming movie concerts and reserve your seat. And don’t be surprised if you leave humming the main theme all the way home.

• Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix™, October 10, 2025 at 7 PM and October 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM (Get tickets here for 10/10) (Get tickets here for 10/12) 
• A Muppet Christmas Carol™, Dec 7, 2025 at 2:30PM (Get tickets here)
• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™, April 10 and 11, 2026 at 7 PM both nights (Get tickets here for 4/10)  (Get tickets here for 4/11) 

🎬🎶 Also, check out what else is playing this year at alabamasymphony.org

Read more articles by ASO and other contributors here.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is proud to celebrate another successful season filled with family-friendly concerts, interactive orchestra experiences, student-focused orchestra performances, and exceptional orchestral training for our student musicians in Birmingham, Alabama.

The ASO continued its mission to create interactive orchestral programming for young audiences across the state of Alabama. This year, ASO partnered with Shaheed and DJ Supreme to create a fun and engaging symphony experience promoting movement and interaction with classical music. The Birmingham duo, known as KRU, joined the ASO to perform a show with orchestral arrangements written specifically for this collaboration. Altogether, they appeared on stage with the orchestra six times.

The ASO also collaborated with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre to bring to life the musical adventure of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Musicians were joined on stage by actors and a narrator, using the orchestra as a tool for storytelling, making it an educational and engaging symphony experience perfect for all ages. This week-long residency with BCT featured seven performances, including four field trip concerts and one show completely translated to Spanish. This marked a first for ASO’s Education Programming, striving to provide meaningful orchestra experiences to all students in the Birmingham area and beyond.

This season, the talented Candace Neal Pappas returned for the premiere of her program “The Great Orchestra Experience: Where Science Meets the Symphony.” This educational concert incorporated STEM concepts from the Alabama state educational curriculum, pairing them with some of the most recognizable orchestra excerpts. Students were taken on an engaging journey as they discovered types of energy, all with the help of the orchestra and Maestro Chris Confessore.

In the classroom, ASO musicians visited schools across the state through the INSPIRE program. This initiative takes a chamber group of ASO musicians to schools, where they perform and share insights into their lives as musicians. ASO also continued its partnership with i3 Academy, providing 15 hands-on music learning opportunities with an ASO musician to their music class. ASO’s conductors, Carlos Izcaray and Daniel Cho, also visited ensemble classes at Vestavia Hills schools to share their talents and insights with young musicians. The INSPIRE program is set to reach over 1,000 students this year in over 20 different classrooms.

Daniel Cho celebrates another season as the Conductor and Music Director of the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO). This ensemble is dedicated to nurturing talent, building community, and empowering students in Alabama. The group consists of 68 of the brightest young musicians from throughout the state who gather each Sunday to share their talents and aspirations. The group will perform their final concert for the season on May 3rd at 2:00 pm at the Alys Stephens Center. This free program, presented by the leading youth orchestra in Alabama, is the perfect way to nurture students’ interest in classical music.

In a world filled with distractions, ASO remains committed to serving the students of Alabama through our educational concerts, INSPIRE visits, and the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra. This year alone, ASO has reached over 35,000 students from 40 counties and is continuously working toward expanding its reach, aiming to bring the ASO to every county in the state.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement of our programs. Together, we are fostering a love for music that will inspire generations to come.

-Megan Haller, Education Initiatives Manager

The 2025 Momentum Symposium is an event you don’t want to miss. Momentum, presented by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, is a daylong collaborative symposium designed to bring students, educators, and community members together to talk about the music industry and build valuable connections with other professionals. Whether you’re an aspiring performer, music educator, producer, sound engineer, composer, or lover of the arts interested in learning more about the intricacies of the music world, Momentum is crafted to elevate your passion and knowledge in the world of instrumental music. 

The ASO is proud to host a variety of talented presenters this year including: 

1. Session with Jeremy Jordan and the Oakwood University Aeolians: Learn from Jeremy Jordan, as he leads students through the Aeolians/Oakwood University Chorus’ rehearsal process including warm-ups, rehearsal techniques, and expressive singing. The session will include performances from the Oakwood University Aeolians and the Oakwood University Singers.   
2. Discussion with Yogi Dada: Joining us again for Momentum this year, Artist/musician/writer/filmmaker Yogi Dada shares insights from the journey of finding herself and the pursuit of art, even among naysayers and high critics. This session covers strategies for facing adversity and engaging with artistic criticism, as well as the paths to professionalism forged for young black artists of all mediums. 
3. A session with Kim Scott: #1 Billboard charting jazz flutist, host of the Block Party Radio Show, and ASFA Director of Student Support Services Kim Scott shows students how to apply their classical music knowledge to creating their opportunities in the music industry. 
4. Development Session with Dr. Henry Panion: Henry Panion III, PhD is the Director of Music Technology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, an Emmy, Grammy, and Telly recipient for his work in production, composition, and arrangement, and a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. His development session will include key insights gained throughout his career regarding music technology and the recording industry. 

The ASO is proud to host various sessions, panels, and performances during Momentum 2025. For a full schedule and to register visit our website here. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham for Momentum 2025. 

The 2025 Momentum Symposium is shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss. Whether you are a student on your journey into the professional world, an educator looking to connect with local musicians, or a patron of the arts interested in learning more about the intricacies of the music world, Momentum has something for you.

This year, the Alabama Symphony is proud to partner with Shaheed and DJ Supreme. This hip-hop duo are the local Birmingham Legends, founders, and artists behind KRU. “Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding (KRU) is an educational initiative that empowers the youth by teaching them the four core elements of Hip Hop through peace, love, and having fun and to help them express themselves in a positive manner that will assist them in their life mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.” This educational initiative strives to preserve the hip-hop artform through educating the next generation in the appreciation and application of hip-hop. This year, Shaheed and DJ Supreme were invited to perform with the ASO with orchestral tracks to their songs written specifically for this collaboration.

Want to learn more about this dynamic duo? Catch them at these Momentum events:

A Night with the ASO, feat. Shaheed and DJ Supreme Thurs., Feb. 6th, 2025 | 7 pm Free and open to all! ASO’s 2025 Momentum Symposium will open with Hip Hop sensations Shaheed and DJ Supreme. In a throwback to the golden age of hip-hop, Shaheed and DJ Supreme join the ASO for an evening of rhythm, rhyme, and flow! With positive messaging, including songs that support the good work of UAB Arts in Medicine, UAB Brain Institute, and other local Birmingham Not for Profits, the ASO’s Daniel Cho leads the orchestra in this premiere performance, fusing together the genres of hip-hop and symphonic music.

Keynote Address: Momentum will open on Friday, Feb. 7th, with an address from Shaheed and DJ Supreme. Join us as they kick off the day with inspiring words from their experiences in music production, education, and starting a nonprofit.

Roundtable Discussions: Discuss the work being done throughout Birmingham to support the community with Shaheed and their UAB medicine partners.

The ASO will host these as well as a range of other presenters. To learn more about our other presenters, check out this article. To register for Momentum, visit here.

We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham for Momentum 2025.

Get more information about your free seats here!

Thanks to our sponsors: Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, National Endowment for the Arts, Regions Financial Corporation, Dr. Mary Jo Ghory, and Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama.

The musicians in the Alabama Symphony Orchestra are busier than you might imagine. You see them at the Masterworks concerts and the SuperPOPS! Series. You may have even joined us at one of the breweries or the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this summer. But where you may never have seen this world-class orchestra in action is at an education concert. 

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra serves schools in the Birmingham metro area and surrounding counties. These concerts are often the only orchestral music experience many children will have. 

Recently, at a corporate event, numerous adults over 40 stopped by our table to share their memories of attending orchestra concerts when they were kids in elementary school. The thing that happened in every one of those conversations was a big smile that came across their faces. Positive memories stick with us and make an impression. ASO chose to invest in the youth of the state many years ago and still does. 

Unfortunately, there are still schools in Alabama that do not have funding for music education. When ASO brings students on buses to these concerts, it is a life experience like none other they receive in school. In October, ASO had 1,976 students attend a new hip-hop educational concert featuring Shaheed & DJ Supreme. All of these tickets were provided free to schools. Thirty-seven schools and homeschool groups were served, 13 of which were identified as Title 1. In October, we also partnered with Birmingham Children’s Theater for a special production of Peter and the Wolf. Over the course of six concerts, 2,944 students enjoyed the performing arts through music and theater. 

In addition to these concerts, ASO musicians provide music education in schools as visiting educators. Some schools have arranged partnerships for the school year, and others have planned visits that enhance the established programs. Already this year, Sarah Dennis, first violin, saw I3’s 4th and 5th grade classes with approximately 70 students. Bram Margoles, first violin, will visit the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades totaling about 95 students. Multiple Birmingham City Schools will be visited by our chamber INSPIRE groups during the month of November. 

In early November, ASO will launch a new education concert with a theme of science experiments. Currently, over 2,700 students are registered. These groups include special relationships with ArtsRevive, which will bring Selma and Dallas County students to the symphony! We have also been able to provide busing and tickets for this concert for a group from I3 Academy. 

These musicians are busy giving back to the community and to our state’s education system. So next time you see them in the concert hall, how about a second applause for all the ways they are impacting the state of Alabama’s youth? 

Read more articles by ASO and other contributors here.

In late summer 2024, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra began looking for a new venue—one that would provide the audience with a close-up experience, allow them to see all of the performing musicians, and have a stage large enough to accommodate a full orchestra. While Birmingham has various unique and intimate venues, only a few have a stage large enough for the orchestra. Enter the recently renovated Carver Theatre. Not only does the stage fit, but its shared history makes it the perfect venue for a new series of concerts.

Throughout the past century, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Carver Theatre have evolved in tandem, reflecting Birmingham’s social, political, and cultural landscapes. Both institutions have played crucial roles in enriching the city’s artistic fabric, contributing to a legacy of collaboration and community engagement that inspires generations of artists and audiences.

Both were foundations of musical traditions in the Early 20th Century (1920s-1930s). The Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) was founded in 1921, marking the beginning of a significant musical tradition in Birmingham. The early performances were held in various venues around the city, reflecting the nascent nature of orchestral music in Alabama. Meanwhile, the Carver Theatre, originally opened in 1935 as a movie theater, became a focal point for African American arts, showcasing films and live performances at a time when segregation limited access to many cultural venues.

During the mid-20th Century (1940s-1970s), both institutions experienced growth and encouraged cultural exchange. As the ASO continued to establish itself in the community, the Carver Theatre provided a platform for a diverse range of performances, including jazz concerts and theater productions. The 1960s ushered in an era of civil rights movements, with both institutions becoming symbols of cultural pride and resistance. Concerts by the ASO began to feature more varied repertoires. At the same time, the Carver Theatre diversified its programming, hosting events that celebrated African American culture, further bridging the gap between different musical genres.

In the 1970s and 1980s, integration and transformation was happening throughout the city. The ASO continued to grow, becoming a professional orchestra by 1982. During this time, the Carver Theatre faced financial difficulties and shifts in the entertainment landscape. Despite these challenges, both organizations sought to address community needs. The ASO initiated outreach programs to engage more local residents, while the Carver Theatre worked to revitalize its mission, becoming a community arts center that would offer educational programs and local performances.

The 1990s brought a new era of collaboration and innovation. Both the ASO and the Carver Theatre embraced innovation to continue contributing to Birmingham’s performing arts and culture. The ASO began performing at the newly constructed Alys Stephens Center in 1996, but it continued collaborating with local artists and institutions, recognizing the importance of community ties. The Carver Theatre underwent renovations, allowing it to host a broader array of performances, including collaborations with the orchestra for community holiday events and festivals.

From 2000 to the present, Birmingham has experienced a cultural renaissance and increasing community engagement. Entering the 2000s, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Carver Theatre have both worked to promote inclusivity and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Birmingham. The ASO has focused on expanding its audience through innovative educational programming, outreach, and partnerships with local organizations. The Carver Theatre has similarly embraced its role as a community hub, offering space to local artists, theatrical productions, and educational programming, ensuring the arts remain accessible to the entire community.

This legacy of connection is worthy of celebration as The Alabama Symphony Orchestra begins a new series in the Carver Theatre and builds on the enduring connection, a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the arts to unite a community.